Acquitted (1916 film)

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Acquitted
Acquitted 1917 newspaper.jpg
Newspaper advertisement
Directed by Paul Powell [1]
Written byRoy Somerville [1] [2]
Tod Browning (uncredited)
Based on"Acquitted" [1] [3] [4]
by Mary Roberts Rinehart
Starring Wilfred Lucas
Mary Alden
Bessie Love [5]
Cinematography John Leezer [6]
Production
company
Distributed by Triangle Film Corporation
Release date
  • February 6, 1916 (1916-02-06)(U.S.)
Running time
5 reels
CountryUnited States
Language Silent (English intertitles)

Acquitted is a 1916 American silent mystery film [2] produced by the Fine Arts Film Company and distributed by Triangle Film Corporation. Paul Powell directed a screenplay by Roy Somerville based on a 1907 short story by Mary Roberts Rinehart. [1] [3] Tod Browning served as an uncredited writer.[ citation needed ]

Contents

This film marks the first starring role of Wilfred Lucas, [7] and may mark Bessie Love's film debut. The film is presumed lost, possibly due to the 1965 MGM vault fire. [8] [9]

Plot

John Carter (Lucas) is interviewed by the police. Wilfred Lucas in a scene from Acquitted.jpg
John Carter (Lucas) is interviewed by the police.

The police accuse innocent bookkeeper John Carter (Lucas) of having committed the murder of a cashier. A reporter, who is in love with Carter's daughter (Love), proves that Carter is innocent. After a time, Carter's daughter convinces his former employer to hire him back. [2] [10] [11]

Cast

Film still showing the Carter family (Lucas, Love, De Rue, and Alden). Scene from the 1916 silent film Acquitted.jpg
Film still showing the Carter family (Lucas, Love, De Rue, and Alden).

Production

Bessie Love wore some of her own clothing as her wardrobe in the film. [12]

Release and reception

Film still featuring Alden, De Rue, and Lucas. Scene from Acquitted with Wilfred Lucas.jpg
Film still featuring Alden, De Rue, and Lucas.

The film was heavily censored in Ohio, with scenes of violence and drug sales and use removed before distribution. [13]

The film was well-reviewed. [14] [15] Wilfred Lucas received positive reviews for his performance in the lead role, as did Powell's direction. [14] [16] [17] Bessie Love was positively likened to her contemporaries Mary Pickford and Mae Marsh. [18]

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References

Citations
  1. 1 2 3 4 "Purely Personal Mention". The Photoplayers Weekly. November 27, 1915. p. 3.
  2. 1 2 3 Wlaschin, Ken (April 28, 2009). Silent Mystery and Detective Movies: A Comprehensive Filmography. p. 4. ISBN   978-0-7864-4350-5.
  3. 1 2 Goble, Alan, ed. (September 8, 2011). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. p. 662. ISBN   978-3-11-095194-3.
  4. ↑ Rinehart, Mary Roberts (February 1907). "Acquitted". Pearson's Magazine . Vol. 17, no. 2. p. 225.
  5. ↑ "Purely Personal Mention". The Photoplayers Weekly. January 29, 1916. p. 4.
  6. ↑ Love 1977, p. 148
  7. ↑ "Lucas Starred by Griffith". Motography . Vol. 15, no. 9. February 26, 1916. p. 450.
  8. ↑ Bennett, Carl (August 19, 2009). "Progressive Silent Film List: Acquitted". Silent Era.
  9. ↑ The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1911–20 by The American Film Institute, c.1988
  10. ↑ "Wilfred Lucas Now a Star". Motography. Vol. 15, no. 3. January 15, 1916. p. 110.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Julian (April 1916). "The Shadow Stage". Photoplay Magazine. p. 100.
  12. ↑ Love 1977 , pp. 80–82
  13. ↑ Platz, Paul Alwyn (March 4, 1916). "Ohio Censor Scissors Snip Without Rhyme or Reason". Motion Picture News. Vol. 13, no. 9. p. 1304.
  14. 1 2 "The Current Triangle Bill". Motography. Vol. 15, no. 7. February 12, 1916. p. 368.
  15. ↑ "Film Reviews". Variety. Vol. 41, no. 9. January 28, 1916. p. 22.
  16. ↑ "Messrs. Wilfred Lucas". Photoplay Magazine. Vol. 10, no. 1. June 1916. pp. 97–99.
  17. ↑ Julian, Johnson (April 1916). "The Shadow Stage". Photoplay Magazine. p. 104.
  18. ↑ York, Cal (April 1916). "Plays and Players". Photoplay Magazine. p. 110.
Works cited
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